Your pet’s microchip may be the only way that veterinary practices or other finders have to contact you should your pet be brought to them as a stray. If the contact details are out of date, reuniting a beloved pet with their family becomes near impossible. It is also a legal requirement for the details on your cat or dog’s microchip to be up to date.
Microchip numbers are usually 15 digits long (although there are a couple of manufacturers that make ones with fewer digits, but these are much less commonly used) and are held on third party DEFRA approved databases, such as Petlog, Identibase, PETtrac or Home Again with the registered keeper’s contact details. There are dozens of databases which hold microchip details and you will need to know which one your pet’s number is registered with in order to make any changes. Whilst veterinary practices are happy to help direct you to the correct database, changes to microchip contact details can only be made by the registered owner. If you move house, change your contact number or take on a new pet from another owner, you must ensure the details registered to your pet’s chip are updated.
How do I find my pet’s microchip number?
Microchip numbers are usually written on your pet’s vaccination card or they may be noted on any paperwork you have received from the previous owner, breeder or rescue centre where you obtained your pet. If you are unable to find your pet’s microchip number, visit your local veterinary practice where they can scan the microchip and let you know the number. If you think the microchip number you have been given by the previous owner or breeder is incorrect for any reason (it can happen easily if the breeder has chipped a large litter, or the numbers get transposed when writing them down), have your pet’s microchip double checked by your veterinary practice.
How do I know where my pet’s microchip details are held?
Once you have your pet’s microchip number, visit the Home Again website and type the number into the box on their home page. This will direct you to the correct online database. This is also how veterinary practices are able to find your details if your pet is brought into them as a stray.
How do I update any incorrect details?
Most databases will allow you to change the details online, you may need to set up an account with them. If you are transferring keepership after obtaining a new pet, the previous owner may need to give you a code or PIN in order to update the details. If you don’t have these details, please don’t give up, microchip companies are prepared for this and will have procedures in place to ensure the details can still be updated, just give them a call or use their online contact form. Please note, there may be a charge from some database companies to update details.
What if it says my pet’s microchip is not registered on any of the databases?
This can happen for a number of reasons, it is possible the original owner or chip implanter did not register the details online with any of the databases when the microchip was implanted. If your pet has come from outside of the UK as a rescue or imported pet, their details may not be registered to a DEFRA compliant database in the UK. Fortunately, if your pet’s chip is unregistered, you can register it free of charge (for life!) with Home Again.
Call us on 01435 864422 if you have any questions about updating your pet’s microchip.
